This is where a Figment session begins. The Setup window allows you to create, rename and delete Show Files. A Show File is a separate storage location to create a show in. Each Show File holds its own fixture patch and cue list. You don't need to create a Show File to use the stage or diagnostic functions of Figment, but if you want to patch fixtures for easy access or to record scenes in the cue list, you'll have to create a new Show File.

The Preferences and Interface panels are coming soon. They will hold global application preferences and provide access to interface specific features (such as Show File downloading and Macro Button assignments).

You can define the DMX addresses of any moving light fixtures you plan to use by using the Patch window. Once a fixture is added to the patch, it is accessible through the Fixture window (described later).

Clicking on "Add" allows additional fixtures to be added to the patch. The next screen shows the Add Fixture window that appears.

When you choose to add a fixture to the patch, the Add Fixture dialog appears. From this dialog, you can choose from one of several fixture libraries that can be downloaded from the Interactive web site. Each library contains fixture profiles from a specific manufacturer.

Once a fixture profile is chosen, you can specify a DMX starting address and a number of fixtures to add. The "+" button automatically adds as many of that fixture as possible with the remaining DMX channels available.

Tapping on "Add" adds those fixtures to the patch. You can repeat this process to add other fixtures to the patch.

Similar to a conventional lighting console, the Stage window displays an array of channel levels (up to 80 at a time). Each of these channel values shows the status of the input or output of the DMX interface.

A channel value that is in normal text is displaying the DMX input/thru value present at the DMX interface. When a channel is "grabbed" by Figment (by setting its level on stage or by the fixture control window), it appears in bold, displaying the DMX output value. When a channel is selected, its value is shown in inverse text.

Cues can be played back by using the "Go", "Back" and "Next Cue" controls or by using the Keypad window shown later in this section. Additionally, all of the stage functions available on the Keypad can be accessed at any time by writing their abbreviations on the Grafitti-based command line. Simply enter "Channel 5 thru 10 at 33%" to do just that.

Use the Stage window when needing to view DMX input by many channels at a time. The Stage window can also double as a designer's remote or as a handy remote focus tool. Regardless of weather Figment is being used as a troubleshooting device or as a minature console, the Stage window provides a clear and concise view of what's going on.

Figment includes a robust graphical user interface for controlling and/or watching the operation of moving lights (or other multi-parameter fixtures). Each patched fixture appears in the Fixture window. Each of the fixture's channels is categorized into one of five categories. Within each category, a fixture's parameters appears in a concise list.

If a fixture parameter is a basic value (like "Dimmer"), a simple slider appears that directly controls the value. If the parameter is more complex, a special pop-up control window appears that provides more precise control over the parameter (see the next screens).

Just like the Stage View, if a fixture's parameter isn't "grabbed", the current DMX input is decoded into the appropriate fixture parameters, which is great for debugging lighting problems.

If you tap on a fixture's Pan/Tilt parameter, a special Focus pop-up window appears. This is where the fun starts. Simply tap anywhere on the coordinate grid to immediately send the fixture to that position. For more precice control, both rough and fine touch modes are available for 16-bit precision.

Buttons are available for locking the X and Y coordinates and for inverting and/or swapping the axes. All of this provides precise control over the position of a moving light fixture.

If you tap on a fixture's parameter that is more complex than a single continuous value, a special parameter pop-up window appears that provides a easy-to-use list of options available for that channel.

Of course, all of this is live on stage. As soon as a value is chosen, that channel is "grabbed" by Figment and the fixture responds. Simply "release" the live channels to return to DMX passthru mode.

At any time while using Figment you can go to the Keypad window to get an on-screen programming keypad that is similar to the keypad on a conventional lighting console.

From this keypad, you can enter commands like "Channel 12 > 18 At Full", "Record Cue 10", "Cue 7 Go" and more. The graphical buttons are even large enough to be pressed by your finger.

In Figment, the command line is visible in all of the other windows - and any of the commands can be entered by writing the corresponding letters and numbers in the Palm's Grafitti writing area.

When a cue is recorded, it appears in the Cue List window. As in conventional lighting consoles, each cue is assigned a cue number (from 0.1 through 999.9).

Choose a cue to execute and hit "Go". The next cue in the list will rise on stage. Also, "Back" and "Clear" buttons are available too.

Tap on the "Details" button to set a cue's name, its fade time, linked cue, and follow time. These features make it easier to access cues and can even be used to set up a small show.

Figment can store up to 1000 cues per show file (depending on the available memory in the Palm device).

From the Diagnostics window, you can bypass the stage, fixture, patch and cue lists and get down and dirty with the DMX input and output of the interface.

Shown here is the Channel View function, which simply allows you to choose a channel number to view the DMX input value of. The current input value of the chosen channel is displayed in large type so it can be viewed easily.

Although the remainder of the diagnostic functions are not implemented yet, Figment will perform a Flicker Finder, Channel Test, Cable Test, and show DMX parameters (like MAB time) and more.